the study of all branches of science, in motion; generally through computeranimations in order to clarify complex phenomena, convey an idea or test a hypothesis which would be much harder to solve in any other way.

sciencemotionology

Interviewing...

Marco Bagni

Motion designer @

Marco Bagni, an italian motion designer working in Berlin, Germany, is a busy guy. But we caught him inbetween his trips to Asia, from where he always comes back inspired. Quantum physics and metaphysics are his best friends. Here is what he shared with us.

Sciencemotionology: What is your background?

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Marco: I’ve been working as interactive designer/animator for more than 10 years now, building from websites to video animations with clients from all over the world, from big companies to street musicians. I’ve always tried to “tell something” while doing my work, so gradually felt more and more need for personal projects in order to express myself. Luckily, inspiration was never lacking: at some point in my career I took a sabbatical, which ended up in two wonderful years spent entirely in Asia, backpacking the old-school way: hitch-hiking, couchsurfing, meeting most interesting people and places, learning.

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Sciencemotionology: How did you become interested in motion graphics and scientific visualization?

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Marco: During that time traveling, I have performed deep studies on topics like spirituality and religion, namely I have learnt about different forms of buddhism, hinduism, tao, zen and all the branches that developed from the oriental sages of the past. After returning to Europe, with my own son growing up at par with our fast life pace, I’ve become interested in science. More than that, I have felt that oriental deep knowledge about our inner world is often misunderstood and mislabeled by western society; and only by scientific-backed ideas and examples, people could become fascinated by topics seemingly exotic: think of meditation. We should meditate much more in our life, and resonate within our own bodies and feelings. Therefore, I have realized the power in my hands, using motion graphics to connect and resonate with the rest of the world! Trying to communicate feelings and the deepest connections between our mind and the universe!

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Sciencemotionology: Which are your preferred tools for your work?

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Marco: I have always been very digital, and I use software such as After Effects and Cinema 4d to create my animations, but I am looking into new fields like coding and VR for the near future.

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Sciencemotionology: Who are your major audiences?

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Marco: The internet crowd is a wild beast, as you know; I have noticed that Vimeo is a platform dedicated to quality content and people browsing it can combine entertainment with education or artistic feel, that is why I like it. I do receive lots of contacts from people all over the world congratulating me and asking direct questions, either technical or conceptual, I really appreciate that!

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Sciencemotionology: Do you have a favourite work that you did and why is it so important for you?

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Marco: Somehow the video “Chasing Space” represented a quantum leap in my career; I was very pleased to read reviews about it, in which editors were able to put into words concepts and descriptions that seemed a continuation of my work, they were not describing it, they were continuing it and that must have been only through the emphatic connection called art

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Sciencemotionology: Do you have "heroes" whose work you follow?

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Marco: Oh, so many great artists are out there! I feel so small most of the time! I created this platform where I share my inspirations, Motion Inspirations, I recommend it to anyone with visual needs!

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Sciencemotionology: How did those heroes shape/influence your own work?

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Marco: I would split these influences into two categories: style/technique and message/storytelling. Obviously both are very important, and very different to be approached, and every of my heroes has more of this or that, it’s interesting to see the nuances. After many years I try to focus more on the message, the most ephemeral skill, and try to expand on what’s been done before, not to replicate; that’s why I also have times of artistic non-production; the effort should be qualitative.

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Sciencemotionology: Which do you think are the major challenges in this field?

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Marco: Nowadays visual languages are up to a whole new level, and improving daily! At the same time that technology enables us to do more, expectations also keep rising exponentially! Staying sane in the digital age, that’s the main challenge!

Marco: The mathematical beauty of our universe is well known, and the delicate meaning of abstract thoughts need a frame and a canvas to be projected...

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Sciencemotionology: How did you first imagine the concept for Chasing Space? Could you tell us a bit more about the process behind the making of this video?

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Marco: that is much thanks to Mr. Alan Watts. I’ve always found a piercing truth in his way of being and expressing concepts, including a sense of humor that is, eventually, the key to life. In one of his passages he said:

Make the microscope bigger and bigger, and we will find ever more minute things;

Make the telescope bigger and bigger, and the Universe expands, because it's running away from itself;

It won't do that if you don't chase it!

- so that’s how the concept was born.

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Sciencemotionology: What was your main goal with this project?

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Marco: I find myself often in awe, realizing the universe within us, how immensely huge and unreachable, and at same time we are part of it. We are it! And our understanding of infinity, how bizarre! we need to dig deep and deep so that we can say it’ deep enough… but somehow with closed eyes and listening to your own breathing, you can realize just as much!

Sciencemotionology: on a different level, you are an active member of several creative organisations, such as Worth Knowing or the Art Science Node. Do you fell we are shifting towards new business structured models? Where one person doesn't belong to only one agency, like a guitar player who plays for several bands and has several simultaneous projects?

Marco: Well that is a very bright shift that you propose… as a freelancer in fact, the feeling is sometimes similar! On one hand, there is never certainty; every month is a new challenge and quick decisions are taken every day; on the other hand, possibilities are endless and if one puts effort into something it will most likely pay back somehow... In order for an original business structure to work well, there are many ingredients and I think the main one is to care. Believing in what you do and that it will bring you somewhere, it can’t be otherwise! The reality of many creative organizations relies on voluntary work and engagement, the approach can be very different and therefore it goes to a personal level, if I feel good energy for a project, I’m likely to jump on board because the added value is much often not-economical, but multi-layered and often unexpected!